DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 2014--
Covidien plc (NYSE:COV) today announced the launch of ReliaTack™
articulating reloadable fixation device, the first and only of its kind
for laparoscopic (minimally invasive) hernia repair.‡

ReliaTack™ from Covidien is the first and only articulating reloadable absorbable fixation device for minimally-invasive ventral hernia repair. (Photo: Business Wire)

By offering 65-degree articulation, the ReliaTack™ device provides
surgeons with greater access to weak spots within the abdominal wall,
enabling them to more securely tack mesh into place.£,1 The
system’s unique screw-like tacks provide twice the strength of other
fixation devices†,2 and come in interchangeable five- and
10-tack reload sets.3

Non-articulating fixation devices traditionally have presented several
challenges in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Compared to using the
ReliaTack device, utilizing a non-articulating model can mean more
difficulty accessing mesh fixation sites, less fixation strength, and an
increase in cost when more than one device must be used in a single
procedure.4,5,6

“Covidien’s proven tack design helps surgeons ensure that the mesh will
stay in place, one of the key concerns of hernia repair surgery. By
offering interchangeable tack reload sets, ReliaTack™ helps to eliminate
much of the waste associated with non-articulating devices,” said Matt
Cohen, vice president, Research & Development, Covidien.

Surgeons have performed millions of procedures using Covidien’s fixation
devices over the last 20 years.7 The ReliaTack™ device
received FDA 510(K) clearance in April 2014.

The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
estimate that approximately 90,000 ventral hernia repair procedures are
performed each year in the U.S. A ventral hernia usually occurs due to a
weakness of the abdominal wall caused by a previous surgical incision.
The intestines or other abdominal contents can push into a sac and may
cause them to get stuck resulting in potential complications and
requiring emergency surgery.

ABOUT COVIDIEN

Covidien is a global health care leader that understands the challenges
faced by providers and their patients and works to address them with
innovative medical technology solutions and patient care products.
Inspired by patients and caregivers, Covidien’s team of dedicated
professionals is privileged to help save and improve lives around the
world. With more than 38,000 employees, Covidien operates in 150-plus
countries and had 2013 revenue of $10.2 billion. To learn more about our
business visit www.covidien.com
or connect with us on Twitter.

‡ Compared to commercially available absorbable fixation devices

£ In comparison to AbsorbaTackTM fixation device

† Compared to Absorbable Fixation Devices, SecureStrapTM*
device and SorbafixTM* device, when the shaft is angled at
30, 45, and 60 degrees

§ Per case savings over SecureStrapTM* device and SorbafixTM*
device per case savings when 30-60 tacks are needed